Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Always With You ❯ chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Rayana lay on her back in her comfortable bed staring at the ceiling as the sun rose slicing through her thin curtains. She sighed knowing that she’d have to get up right away, also knowing that Dilandau would be there soon.

Slowly she tossed her legs over the side of her bed and shook her hair, causing it to fall down over her shoulders. She yawned and stood up, grabbed a bunch cloths and started for her bathroom, thinking about whether or not she should annoy Dilandau or not, as he was now her lord.

She entered the bathroom, weakly pulling the door closed behind her. She climbed into the shower and let the water wash over her body and through her hair, not realizing that the door was still a fair ways agar.

She never heard the main entrance door slide open through the sound of the water as she stood silent and still under the spray.

Dilandau entered Rayana’s room. He had arranged for her to have breakfast in Folken’s study, as he didn’t want a repeat of yesterday’s morning display.

After allowing his bloodied eyes to sweep through the room catching every detail that was out of it’s usual place telling the young general that she was there.

The sound of running water drew his attention instantly, but he only gave it his full attention until he was sure. He slowly and quietly made his way to the partially opened door. Steam from inside flowed through the gap. He slowly leaned forward towards the opening glimpsing the fogged up mirror. His eyes slowly moved across the black and white décor until the reached her.

She was just standing there, completely exposed, the water running down her body, moulding itself over her curves. A maniacal grin spread across his face as he thought of the many ways this situation. The sinister smile faded as once again her face drifted through his mind with the rest of the innocents that he had destroyed.

Slowly and just as silently he moved away from the door and towards the window deciding that he would wait there for her. He listened to the water falling and watched the clouds drift across the sky as the floating fortress passed through them.

~*~

The water suddenly became silent and Dilandau could hear Ray moving around in the bathroom.

Ray came out of the bathroom tying her hair at the end of the braid she had just finished.

A glint of light caught her, causing her to turn her head towards to source.

There standing in the light of the rising sun was her lord. He turned slowly to face her.

Ray overlooked the fact that the bathroom door had been open. She still hadn’t noticed, and even she had noticed she hid it effectively.

“Good morning Lord Dilandau. Shall be joining you for breakfast?” Ray asked monotonously.

Dilandau stared at her, confused as to how she had changed from the wild uncontrollable woman, to this small obedient girl over night. He watched her. Her eyes read of both of anger and hatred. He sighed at his own confusion. “No you will be joining Lord Folken in his study for breakfast.”

“As you wish.” Ray bowed her head.

Dilandau stared at her for a few seconds, ‘Where did my challenge go?’ He thought as he sighed once again as he passed her. She followed obediently, only as she would usually be right at his side, she now followed a few steps behind him. This made him slightly nervous as his thoughts constantly returned to the idea of her escaping him, let alone the fact that he would look like an idiot if she did get away in this sort of situation.

They made their way down the corridors silently, as Master and Servant.

~*~

Ray followed her Lord into the well-lit room filled with books, tables, chairs, and stools.

“Folken!” Dilandau called out suddenly causing Ray’s head to turn sharply in his direction.

“Ahhh, Lord Dilandau, and this must be Lady Rayana.” Folken stood from his favourite table and chair.

“Yes.” Dilandau replied, unsure what else to say.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Lord Folken.” Ray bowed her head to the tall man causing Dilandau to wince away from her, it hurt to see her like that, but at the same time her was pleased to see she learned her place. He’d have to keep it this way, at least until the other Generals left.

“The pleasure is all mine Lady Rayana.” Folken replied instantly.

“You may call me Ray, as my Lord Dilandau does, if that would please you.”

“Only if you call me Folken.” A rare smile drifted across Folken’s face fore he knew this was not the girl that had Dilandau on the run. He wanted to know why she was hiding.

“I will leave you two alone, I am almost late for breakfast anyway.”

“I wish I could join you.” Ray said monotonously as she didn’t mean it and she made that clear to everyone in the room.

“Yes well you can’t. Good bye.” Dilandau replied coldly and swiftly exited.

“You need not wear a mask any longer Ray, although I would love to know why you are hiding your true self.” Folken smiled.

“Well, I’ve learned in my life time that if you give a guy what he asks for and then some, chances are he won’t want it anymore, and he’ll want what he had back because he sees that it was so much better.” Ray replied.

“Very true, you have a great wisdom from one so young.”

“No I’ve just had practice.” Ray countered.

“Please sit.” Folken motioned to the many places to be seated.

“Where?” She asked surprising him.

“Why, anywhere you want.” Folken replied swiftly covering his surprise as no one ever asked that.

“Why are there so many though?” Ray asked.

“Once you find a place to your liking then I will explain.” Folken smiled and stepped out of her path.

Ray looked around, the sun shone through the bright window onto her face warming her considerably. She stepped forward just following her feet, which led her to the window seat, which didn’t seem to be used very often because from a distance it looked as though it didn’t even exist. She let her eyes travel around for a few second. She moved across the room grabbed a cold metal chair and dragged it over to the window seat. She sat on the faded cushions and placed her feet on the chair, letting her eyes wander out into the sky.

“Very interesting.” Folken whispered.

“What is?” She asked not looking at him.

“No one has ever combined two of these things in my little test.”

“And did I pass?” She asked this time looking at him her eyes narrowed.

“There is no passing and failing in this sort of test, it just shows me the type of person that you are.”

“Really what type of person am I?” She turned back to the window.

“Well the metal chair shows that you can be cold but the warm window seat shows that you can be warm.”

“Well now aren’t you good. I could have told you that. I can also tell you that I am social, but I like to be alone, I can fight quite well, and I don’t mind pain, and not many things scare me.” She said.

“So what does scare you?” Folken asked.

“The thought of someone I love or someone who loves me leaves me.” She sighed.

“And who left you.” He pushed.

“That is none of your business.” Ray growled.

“And who are you afraid of leaving you?”

“You starting to annoy me with all of these damn questions.”

“Then you ask one.” He countered.

Ray thought for a second before settling on a question, “Where does Dilandau sit? And What does that tell you about him?”

“Ah, Lord Dilandau…He is very difficult to figure out, because he always tries to hide it. He usually sits at the big metal table in the room. And that says that he likes to be in charge and the centre of things, but I know that when he is alone in here he sits where you are right now, or he stands in the shadows.” Folken answered her.

“And what does that say?”

“It says that he wants to be free, I am not sure of what though, himself, Ziabach, war? And when he stands in the shadows it says that he would rather watch and listen to learn then ask questions. He likes his privacy and secrets kept secret more then anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Until now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have two friends back home. I trust them with my life and we’ve been friends for over three years, and they don’t know anything about me, other then my name and birthday. And I don’t mind keeping it that way.” Ray said quietly.

“I see, so I doubt you will tell me anything.”

“Oh I’ll tell you stuff. Just not certain things.”

“Then tell me something.”

“What?”

“Anything that you would like to say. I too like my secrets and no one knows even my birthday so you don’t need to worry.”

“Well then aren’t we a crowd.”

“Pardon?”

“On the Mystic Moon there’s a saying that says three’s a crowd. You, Dilandau and me, we are three of a kind. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes I do agree.” Folken sighed.

“So you want to know something?” Ray asked her eyes drifting to her home, which hung in the sky.

“If you wish to tell me.” Folken countered.

“Well, like what?” She sighed.

“Let’s start with why you are here.” He asked.

“Oh now that’s a great question because I sure as hell don’t have a clue.” She smiled, though it didn’t show in her eyes.

“Well what were you doing before you were taken?”

“Well…um…I was crying, actually no that was before. I was running away.”

“From what?”

“My home.”

“Why.”

“Because I didn’t want to be there anymore.”

“And did you wish to disappear?” He asked with interest.

“What?” She thought for a moment, “How did you know.”

“When someone wishes for something with all of their heart it can come true.”

“Well isn’t that great.” She replied sarcastically.

“Do you wish to go home?”

“No, I don’t want to see him again.”

“Who?”

“Someone.”

“Please Ray.”

Rayana looked at Folken, she couldn’t help but trust his eyes. “Before I left, this guy I was with, well he ended our relationship and I wanted to leave so that I wouldn’t have to see him again.”

“Well he isn’t here so you can be happy for as long as you stay.”

“Am I the only one that can wish for my return?”

“No, you will either go back when you are meant to, or someone here or there might wish for your return.”

“I don’t ever want to go back.”

“You’d rather be here with me and Dilandau?”

“Hey you guys are cool, sometimes.”

“I forgot, I’m sorry, I invited you here for breakfast and then I try to starve you.” Folken motioned for her to look to his right where a fair amount of food sat.

Ray laughed, “You aren’t starving me, don’t worry about it, but I’d love to scarf something now.”

“You Mystic Moon dwellers are quite odd.”

“So are you people. Anyway, tell me about this place while we eat.” She smiled and sat in front of the food, and was joined by Folken.

~*~

Dilandau swiftly sliced downward through the air bringing his blade into vicious contact with Chesta’s own weapon. The two spared one heartlessly and the other hopelessly.

Dilandau tried to distract himself from the faces, as they grew stronger in his mind’s eye. He tried to take his mind of the girl and how he felt with her spending time alone with Folken.

He brought his sword down again hitting Chesta’s blade with immense force.

Chesta rolled over under his master’s strength, allowing himself to slip out from under the General, leaving Dilandau to fall forward because of the suddenly loss of opposite force to hold him up.

Dilandau managed to only drop down on one knee and threw his weight into his next blow, which sent Chesta’s blade spinning across the floor and out of the second in command’s reach.

Dilandau cried out in frustration as the faces still haunted him, and punched Chesta in his face as her face swept through the General’s mind.

Chesta fell silently to the floor in a heap. Dilandau looked down at the blond. Dilandau growled and swept himself from the room, allowing the other Dragon Slayers to aid their friend and ally.

Dilandau stormed through the hallways, right into the group of Demon Hunters.

“Good morning General Dilandau.” Rishkaan cooed as the younger man passed him.

“Shut up.” Came the reply.

“I am so sorry to disturb your pout, boy.” Rishkaan gloated.

“Rishkaan…would you like me to call Lady Ray so that she can deal you yet another loss? Maybe then you will learn your place.” Dilandau growled after he came to a stop.

“I was…sympathetic. If a woman is the best that the Dragon Slayers have to offer, we might as well wipe them out now to save them a humiliating battle which would only make the rest of us look like laughing stocks.” Rishkaan countered.

“You and your General are already laughing stocks, you were beaten by a woman.”

“Only because I felt sorry for her. You having sent her, unprepared into a battle with an obviously more experienced warrior.”

“And she still beat you.”

“Only because I let her, I want her to see that she need not fear me. Maybe she will leave your bed and enter mine with the right kind of persuasion, then she would be able to see what a real man is capable of.” Rishkaan and the others smiled coldly.

Dilandau had his blade at the larger man’s neck before any of them had even moved. “You are mistaken she does have something to fear from you. The fact that you would not be able to protect her.”

“You can’t protect her either, General, not from yourself.” Rishkaan growled as he felt the cold chill of death touched steel at his throat. He put extra stain on the word General letting everyone in the hallway know that he did not believe that Dilandau should be allowed such an honour, even as Dilandau had his blade at the Demon Hunters neck.

“What do you know?” Dilandau growled, not expecting an answer.

“More then you’d think.” Rishkaan replied smartly.

“What are you talking about!?” Dilandau demanded.

“Nothing. A lowly soldier like myself doesn’t know anymore then a great General such as yourself Dilandau.” Rishkaan looked down his nose at the shorter man.

“Stay away from her.” Dilandau hissed then pushed away from the Demon Slayer. Dilandau sheathed his blade and stalked down the corridor.

~*~

Ray truly laughed as Folken told her a story about some king in a far away country who tried to reason with Dilandau.

“Dilandau’s crazy! Why would he even try to do that?” Ray laughed.

“Dilandau is not truly crazy, although many people believe that.” Folken replied quietly.

“Yeah I know what you mean, he seems crazy sometimes, but other times he is completely in control.” She sighed and looked out the window. She had learned so much today, but it had taken a lot out of her. She and Folken silently watched the sun fully set.

“Would you like to come back tomorrow?” Folken asked.

“I would love to.”

“I would love for you to as well, I want to learn about your world.” Folken smiled.

“Yeah sure.”

“Well I better be getting you off to bed.” Folken smiled and stood up. “I promised Dilandau I’d keep you safe.”

“No you promised that you’d keep me prisoner.”

“Well from what I hear you aren’t a prisoner, not anymore, my Lady Dragon Slayer.” Folken led the way through the room to the doorway.

“I never wanted to be a Dragon Slayer.” Ray growled.

“And why not, it is a great honour.”

“What is up with the other Generals?” Ray slightly changed the subject as they entered the hallway.

“What do you mean?” Folken asked walking slowly beside her.

“They don’t really respect Dilandau.”

“Ah yes, even those who are blind see that. The others are threatened by Dilandau.” Folken sighed.

“Why?”

“Because Dilandau has been…modified.”

“How?” Ray gave Folken a side-glance.

“Well, Emperor Dornkirk has men called sorcerers. And they modified Dilandau so that he wouldn’t feel emotion, or so they thought.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. And even if I do mean something, now is not the time.”

“Fine, so why are the others threatened by him.”

“Dilandau is stronger then them, he doesn’t feel, while they do, even though they try not to so that they are just like him. They envy and hate him because he has risen through the ranks so swiftly. The others are old and had to work much harder to become who they are. Dilandau was born with an ability to plan perfectly, and not having emotion has helped him greatly. But they do not think that it is fair that they had to give most of their lives to get where they are. But they do not realize what Dilandau has had to give up. The ability to love is a far greater lose then all of theirs put together.” Folken quickly glanced at Ray.

“Wow, and I thought that loving would only hurt, but to not be able to feel that at all.” Ray thought of Tory and how it hurt to lose him, but how it felt to love and be loved by him.

“But something is happening to Dilandau. He is changing, and I believe that he is scared and confused.”

“Why? What’s happening.”

“It started when you came. He believes that it is a weakness, but only because he doesn’t understand.” Folken said quietly, trying to give Ray a hint.

“But what is it?” Ray asked as her mind worked furiously, she could see that Folken was hinting to something, but it could quite a few things, and she could come up with even more. And even if she did figure it out she’d rather be told. She didn’t like to seem smarter then what was expected to her, she liked her advantages, her beauty and her brain, as well as her conniving, cold, yet friendly nature.

“I believe that we will have to leave that for another time.” Folken sighed as he let Ray’s door slide open.

“Thank you Folken, for everything, it’s helpful knowing that I can at least trust you. It’s good to have a friend.” Ray smiled and gave Folken a small peck on the cheek. “Goodnight.” She then disappeared into the shadows of her room.

Folken stood still at her door for a few moments smiling, she trusted him, and he trusted her. And he was all that she had, for the moment. He then turned and left for his own chambers not noticing the figure in the shadows, which liked to listen and learn then to speak and be the centre of attention.

~*~

Dilandau watched Folken leave, with a willing kiss from Ray still on his face. Dilandau fought the urge to run after Folken and kill him, he also fought an even greater urge to enter Ray’s room and beat until she is within an inch of her death.

‘Why the hell should I care what she does!?’ Dilandau demanded of himself as he allowed himself to take a step toward her door. ‘She is worthless to me, if she wants Folken why should I care? She is my Slayer though, and I will not allow distraction!’ Dilandau thought as he was confused as he tried to think of a reason as to why he felt this way, why he cared so much. She was his lower, nothing more to him but a soldier.

Dilandau swiftly passed her room without sparing a glance towards it. Still thinking about what he had just seen.

How could she do this to him. The day after he gives her the honour of being one of his personal Dragon Slayers, she wants more. He would have to train her hard tomorrow.

‘No Folken wants to see her tomorrow, I know it. Well fine, but the more time she spends with him, the harder she will work with me.’ Dilandau thought angrily as he strode down the hallway, which gave evidence to him in everyway that the other General’s and their men didn’t belong there.

‘I want them out now! Damn you Dornkirk, you know that we can’t stand each other. You know how they feel towards me and I to them. Are you trying to cause an internal war between us? But how would that help you?’ Dilandau stayed on the thought for a few moments, before switching over to his extensive work out schedule. He had the urge to push himself harder then usual.

The General entered his room, still thinking about how hard he wished to work out, then knowing that he would not gain any sleep this night, he entered his personal training room and began to push himself, far into the night.